virtual house-warming party!!!

So, since none of you can be with me when I move into my apartment, I thought I would get a little creative! No, honestly, it's strange being on the "other side" of the missionary world. Some of you know, I've had a part-time job the last 2 years as I finished graduate school and wrote my book (currently being self-published). I haven't had extra money lying around. I am very careful and respectful about money issues, so please do NOT feel pressured to contribute, but know that if you do, the money will be well-spent and appreciated!

Here are a list of some things you can help me purchase for my new home. Just the basics. I've priced them at IKEA in Rome. Prices are in EUROS. Convert here: http://fx-rate.net/EUR/USD/

MATTRESS: 99.83

BED: 99.83

COUCH-BED: 400.00 

TABLE & CHAIRS: 93.77

DRESSER: 69

GLASSES: 6

PLATES: 20

BOWLS: 20
PHONE: ~600

I'll probably need some lamps, silverware, pots, pans etc.... but haven't been able to price things yet. Hopefully I can find cheap things somewhere and will even look at flea markets etc.  If you are interested in joining my virtual house-warming party, send tax-deductable check to Calvary Chapel Eastside 5130 164th Ave SE, Bellevue, WA 98006. Write in the MEMO "Allison Case Italy-Mattress" (or whatever item you are sponsoring). 

Thanks SO much and lots of love to you. I'll be sure to post pictures of my new place, and hope that you can come and visit and use those bowls yourself one day!

xo, Allie

goodbye, hello!

Although I've been doing a poor job of spreading the news here, many of you know I AM MOVING!

Literally 2 weeks after my other job fell through, God plopped another, better, job in my lap! I will be working at the Little Genius International School, directly located in FRASCATI, the city of my church (12 miles southeast of Rome). It's crazy I get to work and fellowship in the same town--something I wasn't sure was possible. But with God all things are possible.

For now, everything is moving pretty fast-paced.

Leaving California: August 1.
Leaving Seattle: August 16.
Arrive in Rome: August 17.
Start new job: August 27.

I'd appreciate your prayers as I handle paperwork, pack boxes, decide what to keep and what to get ride of (already done a huge chunk of that, thankfully), and prepare my heart! I'm also saying goodbye to lots of family and friends that have become so precious to me during the last 5.5 years as a Californian. I really "grew up" here, and will miss it very much.

SO, I've decided to help myself say "goodbye" and "hello" with a little list. Cuz who doesn't love a good list?

GOODBYE
-Avocados. I'll figure out some way to live without you.
-Folk concerts. Electronics reign in Italia!
-Grandma's garden. With my grandparents in it ;)
-Reality LA. My wonderful church family.
-English. I love to express myself with words...
-Car. No more driving for this girl!
-Time consistency. I'll be 9 hours ahead of anyone on the West Coast, USA.
-Trader Joe's. That Vegan Japanese Fried Rice will lose a very big fan!

HELLO
-Gelato. Yum.
-Slowing down. Italian culture has a different time-orientation. Different values.
-Cobblestone streets. Not for heels or rain, but whatever they're cute.
-Public transport. Looking forward to letting someone else do the driving :) Plus people-watching!
-Italian. As hard as it is to use sometimes, I do love the language.
-Church. I'm excited to grow in Christ, and spur others in the faith.
-Home. Excited to have a new place with my pastor's daughter as flat-mate!
-Being Italian. I'm curious to use my new passport and Italian social security, etc.

I'm sure there's much to add to the list, but I hope you are feeling my loss and my excitement a bit better! God is good. Here's to continuing the adventure with Him.

XO, Allie

a step in the right direction!

Hello!

I am proud to announce, after a very long time, that I am an Italian citizen! God is very good. Here I am exiting the consulate, about to burst ;)

On another note, I did NOT get the job I applied for. I'm trusting that was not the Lord's will, and am praying that I DO get the next one I've applied for.

Thanks for you love and prayers. Will update again soon!
XO, Allie

job/passport/moving update #2

Quick update:

Friday meeting went really well! I was told to pick up my passport Monday. On Monday I was told that I wasn't told to pick it up Monday! It wasn't ready. Frustrating. Italian. Expected. I'm waiting for their phone call at which point I'll go pick the thing up!

Meanwhile, I was told by my potential job that the hiring decision will be made by Friday. I am praying that if I'm not to have this job, they don't hire me. If they offer, I'll take it. I don't know how else to make this decision. It's very hard knowing the school is so far away from my church. And I won't have a car. And I could be living alone. And... I'll save the worrying for now. It's a great opportunity. It's something to get me there. If it doesn't go through, I will look at teaching English jobs which may give me more flexibility.

The Lord knows!

Thanks so much for praying. I am finding myself sustained despite the changes and goodbyes already happening this month. So thanks. Pray that I would hear the Lord and that my heart would be soft.

Love, Allie

job/passport/moving update

Hi Friends!

This will be to-the-point. I have some praises and requests.

First, I've now had 2 interviews with the Rome International School. The principal is South African and the vice principal is Scottish. So fun. Basically, they want to hire me but must wait until my Italian passport comes through before they can do anything official. So this is a praise that things have gone so well.

Also, I've been able to communicate a lot of things about roles and expectations with my pastor in Italy, and feel much more confident, and on the same page. Another praise. He's so awesome and I feel honored to serve with him.

I'd like to request prayer for my Italian consulate meeting on June 8, 9.30am. This is when I order my Italian passport. The problem is that I've yet to receive the official letter I'm supposed to bring to this appointment and my lawyer is out of town until June 5. I need a miracle, now that I have a job on the line. As God wills!

Also, my poor church in Italy is going through a LOT. Specifically on my heart is spiritual maturity and strength in general, but also for my pastor's wife Chantal. She's been in hospital now about 5 weeks and there are still complications. Please ask God for healing. Also a sweet young woman, Lorenza, is pregnant out of wedlock with a man from a sister church. Pray for wisdom for the church leaders, grace & compassion (not gossip and rejection) from the church body, and repentance and courage for Lorenza and Valerio.

Finally, it's starting to kick-in.... I may have had a tear-headache last night. Starting to get a bit emotional about everything. I'm very desperate to be Spirit-led on all of these decisions. It just hurts to leave people I love. So you can pray for that.

Thank you so much for your love and support. I don't take it for granted that someone is interceding before the throne of the High King of Heaven on my behalf! I'm sure I don't even know what that means, but may my life show the impact of it! Amen.

XO, Allie

Benvenuti! Welcome :)

IN ITALIA

The real mafia are in Italy 
The most dangerous are in Italy 
The ladies on the street are in Italy 
Eat hand-made pasta in Italy 
Then a thief enters your house in Italy 
You can't find stable work in Italy 
But you kiss your crucifix in Italy 
There are the monuments in Italy 
The churches with their paintings in Italy 
The people with their sentiments in Italy 
The country and its rapes in Italy 


There are things no one will tell you... 
Things no one will give you 
You're born here and you die 
Born here and die here in the country of half-truths. 


Where will you flee?

The above excerpt is my translation of a rap by Roman rapper Fabri Fibra. It moved me years ago, and continues to do so today. I'm slowly cringing less when I tell people I'm relocating to Italy. "Oh I've always wanted to go there!" they squeal. But MY Italy? Rome? Rome has a growing influx of refugees, constant tourism, ancient ruins, good food, hopeless youth, beautiful fashions, jobless masses, religious exteriors, rebellious hearts. Such a land of contradictions.

It is my desire that God continues to build His Church in Italy, by whatever means He sees fit, and that I always remain open to how He wants to use me to that end. Italy is far from my identity. Life is an adventure, and my heart stretches to and from so many places on the globe that I sometimes feel it will burst. But recently reading "Kisses from Katie" has put me back in perspective. Christ is my identity. He is my beginning. My end. My goal and my prize.

If you are new to this journey, welcome! I am so honored and humbled by your participation. I thank you in advance for your patience in this time of transition!

Ok...drum roll...the Italian Consulate says I can receive my Italian passport by end of June. This is HUGE!!! Although I've been pressing forward to a January 2013 move, I was recently made aware of a dream job that would have me potentially moving this AUGUST! So: please pray that God would miraculously give me this job and help me move in August if that is His will.  Pray for my Pastor's wife, Chantal, who suffers from a rare blood disease and hasn't been well lately. Also for the church building (a new place with low rent that includes a room for Sunday School). Pray for maturity and depth of faith in the believers at Frascati! Thanks so much.

Love, Allie
Check out CC Roma's vid! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4pYt7GIbYc0

a new year

Buon Anno Nuovo a Tutti Voi!

UPDATES:
I have decided NOT to take the Italian class this term. This way, I get to go to church. I am getting together a brunch invite so pray people from my class will come!! I am also trying to get another part-time job, audit a class at BIOLA, and finish my book (for which I am lacking in motivation!). I've discovered I am great at starting things, but loathe the finish-line. A big hug again to those of you I got to see while in Seattle (and Portland) for the holidays.

NEWS:
I started looking at teaching (primary school and TESOL/TEFL) jobs in Rome. I got SUPER overwhelmed. The thing I know: I want to be a support to my friends in Rome. The things I don't know: 1) WHERE to look for jobs (Rome is huge and people from my church are spread out), 2) Whether to pursue full-time or part-time positions because I am concerned about having enough time to serve the church, 3) When to move. I could move in the summer if I got a job. Otherwise I am waiting for my Italian passport. 4) Finally, I really have no idea how to get residence, etc. so I am just now needing to research all of this and ask my expat friends.

I don't want to rush leaving California. I LOVE my friends. My family is precious to me. But I don't want to stay when God wants me to go. I am trusting a lot of these things will fall into place as I pursue different options and doors open or close. The reality of living on my own, in a VERY FOREIGN country appears more and more vulnerable as the days pass. I'm so thankful to have the model of a few female friends who are off in their fields already. A visit from my dear friend Michelle (Japan) last week was a great blessing :)

Well, to close, I think I'm going to join an Italian choir because I can't totally abandon the Instituto all spring! Haha, I'll keep you posted if I do.

Lots of love and thank you ever so much for you prayers.